Elections to be held for Classified Staff Congress

Shared governance opportunities continue to grow for the nearly 5,000 classified staff employees of UW-Madison. In November, nine people were elected to the first-ever Classified Staff Executive Committee (CSEC) to help represent them. Starting next week, letters will be mailed with information about the election of a Classified Staff Congress.

“Shared governance is all about having your voice heard in the rooms where the decisions are being made,” says CSEC Chair Russell Kutz. “The more people we have speaking on behalf of classified staff, the sooner our priority issues will be addressed.”

The congress will consist of one elected representative and one alternate from each of 106 districts. Classified staff employees will vote only for the candidates in their own district, with districts consisting of employees of similar job type. In any district where more than two candidates file, a first round of elections will take place in June to narrow the number of candidates to two with a second round of balloting in July to choose the winner.

Letters with a list of who is in which districts will go out the week of April 14, as well as a declaration of candidacy form for employees who wish to run for election. The form must be signed and sent to the office of the Secretary of the Classified Staff by May 12. With the exception of those already serving on the executive committee, all permanent members of the UW-Madison classified staff are eligible to compete as candidates. Those who are separated from UW-Madison employment will be ineligible.

The university has committed to working with employees to adjust schedules so everyone will be able to participate in shared governance business without loss of pay.

“A larger representative body allows for more people to take an active part in the process,” says Patricia Droes, CSEC member. “The more opportunities people have to be engaged in a meaningful way, the better the feedback will be that will allow the congressional representatives to be truly responsive.”

Questions regarding the congressional elections may be addressed to classified staff interim secretary John Lease at 608-263-2995 or in room 167A of Bascom Hall.